- Bibtex: @motto1976
- Bibliography: Motto, J. A. (1976). Suicide Prevention for High-Risk Persons Who Refuse Treatment*. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 6(4), 223–230. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1943-278X.1976.tb00880.x
Example citation
My notes
- Follow-up data in motto2001
- Treatment compliance was defined as 1 month post-discharge adherence to trt.
- They repeat the importance of avoiding anything in terms of requesting information or action.
By so doing we hope to emphasize that our interest is simply and entirely to let the person know that we remain aware of his existence and maintain positive feelings toward him.
- The impact of one note is not expected to be high, but receiving many notes over time can have a big effect.
The schedule for these contacts is monthly for 4 months, then every 2 months for 8 months, and finally every 3 months for 4 years – a total of 5 years and 24 contacts.
- They discuss that <90 days after discharge requires a more intensive form of support, this is not intended as acute care.
Example letter
“Dear XYZ, it has been some time since you were here at the hospital, and we hope things are going well for you. If you wish to drop us a note we would be glad to hear from you. Sincerely, XYZ”
Abstract
ABSTRACT: A program was developed to exert a suicide prevention influence on high-risk persons who decline to enter the health care system. There were 3,006 patients admitted to a psychiatric in-patient service because of a depressive or suicidal state who were contacted to determine if the post-discharge plan was followed. Half of those who refused their treatment program were contacted by telephone or letter on a set schedule. The contact was limited to expressing interest in the person’s well-being. Mortality in the contact group was compared with the no-contact subjects and with the subjects who had accepted treatment, after 1, 2, 3, and 4 years. Suicidal deaths were found to diverge progressively in the three groups, the treatment subjects showing the highest rates, the no-contact group coming next, and the contact subjects showing the lowest. The observed divergence between the contact and no-contact groups provides tentative evidence that a high-risk population for suicide can be identified and that a systematic approach to reducing that risk can be applied.